Netflix Launches in Latin America, Brazil First to Get the Service

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Netflix Launches in Latin America, Brazil First to Get the Service
By Erica Ho, September 6, 2011


Viva la Netflix. While you were kicking back on Labor Day, Netflix launched their own version down south. By that, I mean pretty far down south, like as in Latin America and the Caribbean. Brazil will be the first country to get it; more countries will follow in the coming weeks.

In total, nearly 43 countries and territories will get the streaming service fairly soon. The company has spent a lot of time targeting their audience – so without a doubt, there will be telenovelas available for some guilty viewing pleasure. In addition, Brazilians can sign up for a one-month free trial.


After many quibbles about Netflix expanding abroad, the video streaming site is doing it. However, it's not as easy as it seems. "This just won't work in Ecuador or Costa Rica or even Mexico as it has in the U.S.," analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities told the Associated Press. "It's going to depend on how many households have broadband access and what the quality of the content will be like."

Meanwhile, Starz has recently canceled its contract with Netflix. While Starz movies will still be available for a little while (meaning sometime until February 2012), it could strongly affect Netflix in the coming months. It will be a sad loss, but if you're planning a trip south of the border, you'll hopefully be greeted with some perhaps interesting, alternate options.


Erica Ho is a reporter at TIME.